Carnage calls for drastic response

ANOTHER year has passed and the carnage on our roads continues.

Every year the traffic authorities announce certain measures to reduce road fatalities, such as roadblocks, but the accidents and loss of lives continue to increase.

It is time for the authorities to take drastic measures to reduce the carnage. The economy has slowed down and so should the traffic on our roads.

For instance, the national speed limit should be reduced to 100km/h.

Traffic calming measures should be implemented on all roads and the national roads should have speed humps after every 20km or so to have a sobering effect on drivers.

How many of us are guilty of speaking on cellphones while driving? Unfortunately, there are no police statistics on the number of drivers fined for this offence – unlike drinking and driving, unroadworthy vehicles and unlicensed drivers.

What about the holidaymakers who flock to the coast during the festive season and cause mayhem on our roads? Why do we not have more passenger trains running between inland cities like Joburg to the coastal ones, such as Durban to reduce the road traffic.

Even goods transported by the heavy duty trucks should use an improved rail system.

These are some key performance areas the authorities can assess to reduce the road carnage.

But does anybody at the top have the gumption to legislate and implement such drastic suggestions since this would mean even the blue light brigade would have to slow down?

VIJAY SEWTAHAL

Clare Estate

I REFER to your editorial on January 3. By lauding the ANC, you reveal your bias in favour of that party.

It appears the media are slowly becoming totally servile to the ANC. This is a far cry from normal democracy, but comes as no surprise given that most ANC supporters are proud communists.

You boast about the ANC’s history, but avoid going into detail about the latter.

What happened to Nelson Mandela’s alleged dream of SA with equal opportunity for all, when, purely on the basis of colour, whites are denied employment or advancement in government? ROGER LAYZELL

Durban